The Typical Costs of Each Stage in the Publishing Process

Becoming a published author can be an expensive endeavour with little monetary rewards, at least initially. Once writers have a number of books published, the royalties increase. The lucky few get a contract and a small advance from a publishing house. Looking at the expenditures during each stage of writing, designing a cover, formatting the interior, and marketing gives wordsmiths insight into the expense of breaking into the business.

Cost for Each Stage of the Publishing Process

Online forums and blog posts offering advice about jobs to get into on a shoestring cite writing as an option. While it can be fairly inexpensive to jump in if one already owns a computer, there are fees to consider. How much money one makes on each project varies widely.

An Authors Guild survey indicated full-time novelists earn a median income of $20,000 per year, while part-time ones earn significantly less. New writers must factor in a variety of expenses to consider how much they actually earn.

Writing the Story

If the writer already owns a computer, pricing is significantly lower to get started. Some Chromebooks typically run under $300 and will serve the basic needs of having a Word Processing program and the ability to send email inquiries to publishers or upload the book to an online portal. 

Many options exist for processing programs, but Microsoft Word is one popular option. Authors will need a Microsoft 365 $99.99 per year subscription to use the desktop version of the software.

Wordsmiths must consider the time it takes to finish a tale. People could spend the same hours on a side hustle instead of writing, so unsuccessful books are the same as lost potential income. Writers should weigh the pros and cons. One rule of thumb is that if the person can stand to not write, then they should do something else. If stories take over their thinking, the individual should go ahead and write them but understand profit is fickle.

Editing is crucial for an acclaimed story. While free software like Hemingway exists, for a better editing process, invest in Grammarly or one of its counterparts. Many authors pay a professional editor per page for at least a quick proofread, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per novel.

Formatting the Interior

Formatters must lay out the inside of the book in a particular way to grab the attention of an editor or for self-publishing on sites like Amazon, IngramSpark and Draft2Digital. A new writer will either pay someone for this service or learn how to format on their own by viewing YouTube videos and trial and error.

The price of formatting an interior depends on the number of pages and how many images are inside. Adding elements such as print versions increases the fee. More experienced designers also charge more.

Authors should consider how and where they'll publish, as the number of pages and thickness can impact the overall page count. Even the type of paper can make a difference in printing costs — for example, while nearly half of U.S. and U.K. consumers feel sustainable materials are crucial, these materials can rack up costs more quickly than traditional paper. Though, these extra costs may be at least partially offset by giving creators an edge with eco-conscious readers.

Designing a Cover

As with other aspects of a new release, the expense of commissioning a cover for a book varies. Artists may charge little for a premade cover but up to hundreds of dollars for a custom design. The more eye-catching ones belong to in-demand designers, who charge a premium for their services.

For a self-published ebook, using a service to make a design can save money. However, print versions are more complex and typically require expertise to get the sizing and layout correct.

Publishing Costs

How much a person spends to release their product depends on whether selecting a traditional publisher, assisted publishing or self-publish. For ebooks, expenses are lower.

• Traditional Publisher: It pays the creator, either in royalties or a small advance that can pay royalties after the author sells enough copies to match the advance. The publisher pays for the cover art, formatting, editing and partial marketing.

• Assisted Publishing: The company charges for a print run, which is typically thousands of dollars and may promise to market it. The project usually does not earn enough to be profitable. However, for someone who wants to get their memoir out or a business book, it can be a quick way to market with a professional end product.

• Self-Publishing: The DIY option takes only time and effort to upload the finished work, assuming the author already paid for formatting and a cover. The writer keeps a higher percentage of royalties and maintains full control.

Publishing costs, like most things when launching a book into the world, vary significantly. Finding the right range takes dedication and practice.

Marketing

Whether traditionally or self-published, wordsmiths must create a budget for marketing. Costs to run a newsletter list, take out ads on Amazon and social media and participate in events add up. With around 151,200 authors and writers in the U.S., having a way to reach new readers is crucial. Add the expenses of maintaining an online presence, such as a website, to the marketing budget.

Costs Versus Rewards of Publishing

Many writers create books for the love of the craft. Whether the work ever turns a profit is a lesser consideration for them. Others love to pen novels and also want to make a living. Finding the right mix between spending and profit requires dedication. Getting into publishing requires at least some money. Being aware of the different possible expenses allows writers to make an informed decision about how much time they spend writing and how they release the book.

Article contributed by Eleanor Heck. Eleanor is a design expert for Designerly Magazine, where she keeps readers up to date with the latest WordPress and publishing trends.

Resources for Authors, updated

Independent authors are faced with a bewildering new world when they attempt to promote their books on snd offline. But there are lots of free or very low cost resources online. The following authors and sources do an excellent job of making sense of the contemporary publishing and promotional landscape, and all are worth reading.

Euan Mitchell's Your Book Publishing Options

How to Be an Author from Fremantle Press

Let's Get Digital by David Gaughran

Ricardo Fayet's How to Market an ebook

Ricardo Fayet’s How to Market a Book — Overperform in a Crowded Market

Amazon Ads Unleashed by Robert J. Ryan

Amazon Selling Services from Helium 10

Author 2.0 Blueprint by Joanna Penn

Multiple resources and useful links from Joanna Penn

Self Publishing Australia -- A Resource for Independent Authors

Sometimes authors need to be a part of a larger community, to support each other and share information. Self Publishing Australia is a worthy effort to create a venue where authors post frequently on a range of topics. To join the group, go here and apply

East Wind, West Wind: The Books of Trevor Hay

Working Type Books has worked on several titles for Trevor Hay. Here’s an interesting summary of his varied career and writing, many of which are available from Australian Scholarly Publishing.

About the Author

Dr Trevor Hay is a scholar of comparative and intercultural literature, specialising in Chinese theatre, literature and folklore and in English language writing on China. He is a collector of antiquarian books about China, Central Asia and Tibet and has travelled and worked intermittently in China over fifty years, including a period of UNICEF literacy consultancy with ethnic minority groups, and most recently with a Chinese-Australian group researching Buddhist art in the Dunhuang caves of the Gobi. He has been an Australian Research Council researcher on the teaching of Chinese language and culture for international students and has worked with Chinese community arts and culture groups in Australia, including as narrative consultant for a historical drama society and as an expert committee member for an association for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. He is a fluent speaker of Modern Standard Mandarin. He is currently writing his twelfth book.

 Books by Trevor Hay

Tartar City Woman: Scenes from the Life of Wang Hsin-Ping, Former Citizen of China, Melbourne University Press, 1990, biography, history.

East Wind, West Wind, (with Fang Xiangshu) Penguin, 1992, biography.

Black Ice : A Story of Modern China, Trevor Hay, (with Fang Xiangshu), Indra Publishing, 1997, novel, historical fiction.

China’s Proletarian Myth: The Revolutionary Narrative and Model Theatre of the Cultural Revolution, Lambert Academic Publishing, 2008, Chinese theatre and politics.

A Dream of Red Dragonflies. A Strange Tale of China, the World — and a Third Place, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2016, novel.

Letters from a Floating Life, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2017, novel.

The Secret of the Lunar Rainbow, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2018, novel.

Redgrave’s Ghost, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2019, novel.

The Tengu: Tales from the Temple of Ordinary Terrors, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, novel, 2020.

The Library of Lost Horizons. An Antiquarian Voyage, Arden, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2023.

The Man who Loved Dragons. My China Curios and the Gates of Dreams, Arden, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2024.

5 Typesetting Tips for Enhanced Accessibility

Typesetting is crucial in book design because it determines how readers engage with the text and absorb information. A well-designed layout enhances readability, making it easier for readers to focus without distractions. When accessibility is prioritized, books become more inclusive, catering to individuals with visual impairments, dyslexia or other reading challenges.

The Importance of Accessible Typesetting

Accessible typesetting refers to the practice of designing text layouts in a way that accommodates as wide a range of readers as possible, including those with visual impairments — which affect at least 2.2 billion people worldwide — and dyslexia. The approach ensures all readers can enjoy your writing without unnecessary strain or discomfort.

Proper font choices, spacing and alignment can significantly impact how smoothly a reader moves through a page. Focusing on accessibility and readability allows authors and book designers to create a more enjoyable experience that immerses readers in the content.

In fact, this type of customization in book design can be vital for authors who hope to drive a loyal following, as 71% of customers expect personalization when deciding on a purchase. This expectation extends to reading materials, where font choices that are directly chosen with a variety of physical abilities in mind can greatly enhance individual reading experiences.

1.  Choose an Accessible Typeface

Choosing between serif and sans-serif fonts is essential, especially in print and digital formats. Serif fonts — like Garamond and Georgia — have small strokes at the ends of letters, which help guide the reader’s eye along a line of text. Research suggests that serif fonts can lead to slightly faster reading speeds, particularly in longer-form content like books.

On the other hand, sans-serif fonts, with their clean and simple letterforms, are often easier to read on screens. Regardless of style, font size also matters — 12-point is generally considered large enough for comfortable reading without straining the eyes.

Authors and book designers should avoid decorative or overly stylized fonts, as these can make text harder to decipher and reduce overall readability. Prioritizing classic, well-designed typefaces ensures a smoother reading experience for all audiences.

2.  Optimize Line Spacing and Margins

Proper line spacing can greatly influence readability as it helps readers move effortlessly from one line to the next. Tight spacing can make text feel cluttered, while too much space disrupts the reading flow. Generous margins also prevent paragraphs from feeling cramped and give the eyes room to rest.

Moreover, white space guides the reader’s focus and makes content easier to digest. A well-structured page encourages readers to stay engaged. Balancing spacing, margins and white space creates an inviting, stress-free reading experience.

3.  Ensure Proper Line Length and Paragraph Width

The ideal line length for readability falls between 45 and 75 characters per line, striking the right balance between comfort and efficiency. When lines are too long, the eye has to work harder to track from the end of one line to the beginning of the next, leading to fatigue and slower reading speeds. On the other hand, shorter lines create frequent breaks in the reading flow, which makes the text feel choppy and disconnected.

Adjusting paragraph width based on the format is crucial. Print layouts can afford slightly wider columns, while digital content benefits from narrower widths to accommodate different screen sizes. Optimizing line length lets authors and book designers engage readers without unnecessary strain.

4.  Use Hierarchy and Contrast for Readability

Font size, bolding and italics guide readers through content and improve readability. Larger font sizes make the text easier to process while bolding highlights key points without disrupting the low. Italics can add emphasis but should be used sparingly to avoid visual clutter. A well-structured hierarchy with clear headers and subheaders makes navigation seamless, especially for readers with cognitive impairments or low vision.

Headings break up information into digestible sections, which makes content easier to scan. High contrast between text and background is just as important. Dark text on a light background (or vice versa) enhances visibility, reduces eye strain and ensures an inclusive reading experience for all audiences.

5.  Avoid Justified Text and Hyphenation Overuse

Left-aligned text is easier to read than justified text because it maintains consistent spacing between words. Full justification — while visually neat — often creates uneven letter and word spacing. This leads to what’s known as “rivers” of white space running down the page. This inconsistency complicates distinguishing between individual words, slows reading speed and causes unnecessary strain.

Excessive hyphenation — often used to balance justified text — further disrupts the reading flow by forcing the reader to pause and piece words together across line breaks. A better approach is to use left-aligned, ragged-right text, which maintains natural spacing and avoids awkward word breaks. If justification is necessary, adjusting word spacing within a reasonable range can help improve readability without sacrificing aesthetics.

Creating an Inclusive and Engaging Reading Experience

Thoughtful typesetting transforms a book from simply readable to truly engaging. This makes it easier for readers to absorb and enjoy the content without distractions. Prioritizing accessibility lets authors and designers create a more inclusive experience that reaches a broader audience and immerses readers from start to finish.

Eleanor Hecks is a writer and web designer who is passionate about helping other writers grow their online presence. Her work can be found on her site Designerly, as well as publications such as IndependentPublishing.com and I Need a Book Cover.

Laneway Press – Writing Coach, Editor and Publisher

From Regina Lane at Laneway Press, a description of her services:

A writing coach is an invaluable investment for the aspiring author. As an author myself, editor and a publisher, I have the experience to help you define what you want to say, who you want to reach and the impact you wish to have.

I can help you set writing goals, a structure and a program of work, and keep you focused and accountable. Even the most successful of authors benefit from coaching; someone to keep them motivated and to help move them through the inevitable blocks all writers encounter.

Whether you need a writing coach to get started, or an editor to fine tune your story, I can help you with:

• Your goal – your vision for success, your core message or storyline. z

• Your audience – what they read, what you want them to feel, know and understand.

• Market research – styles, angles and approaches of other books, where are the gaps?

• Writing and self-editing – knowing the difference and when to do what.

• Assessment – sometimes the first step, if you come to me with a complete draft.

• Editing – structural and copy editing to get your manuscript ship shape for publication.

• Self-publishing – costs, platforms, potential for success, marketing and distribution.

• Self-promotion – guidance in how to engage your audience via social and traditional media.

Contact Regina at https://lanewaypress.com.au/contact/

Edge Printing Design by Selina Fenech

Embed Block

Add an embed URL or code. Learn more

Illustrator and writer Selena Fenech is offering an interesting embellishment technique for authors (see image above)

“Popular paper edge design accessible for indie authors! With this technique, designs are printed into the page formatting, not sprayed after printing. Can be applied to any print on demand title in black and white or colour. BYO design or custom illustration available.”

More info at selinafenech.com/commissions

Recent cover designs

Memoirs, Genre Fiction, Current Affairs, Science Fiction and Business: always plenty of variety and interest in the world of cover design. Here are some recent examples designed for our clients.

Writing a Simple Design Brief

A good cover design brief should include the following elements (along with any additional information you might consider important for the designer to know)

• What your aims are for the book

• What place it will occupy in the book publishing landscape (ie. subject matter, genre etc)

• The kind of feel or mood you would like the design to inspire or provoke. Give examples of existing titles – as many as you want, and what you found compelling about them – or other non-book material that is heading in the right direction – a ‘mood board’ can be quite helpful

• A rough idea of how you plan to market your book, and whether it will be mostly promoted online or via bookstores, and what kind of additional marketing materials will be needed (posters, graphics for social posts, email headers, banners etc) 

• Examples of type design or font combinations that might set the designer on the right path

• Examples of colour combinations, or the dominant colour

• The blurb and a reasonably detailed synopsis, even a couple of key scenes in the book if you want them to be the basis of the cover

• Character descriptions if they are to feature on the cover

• Many authors are content to leave everything to the designer, but at least a little bit of guidance can be extremely helpful and prevent wasted time and the designer creating iterations that are wildly off-track.

• Be open to unexpected solutions – sometimes a designer will come up with a solution that you might not have considered and showcases your title in an interesting, marketable way. 

• If the first round of cover versions are not hitting the mark, be specific with your suggestions – the more the designer has to work with, the more chance they have of creating something memorable and useful

There is a post on the WorkingType blog that goes into some related detail.

The Wisdom of All Fonts

Some sources of high quality free typefaces:

Google Fonts

there are filters on the left to help users narrow down their search

Font Squirrel

Tags at the bottom right to help you find the right style

Lost Type

Just keep on scrolling and make them an offer…

League of Moveable Type

Lots of good stuff on offer, plus sign up for their newsletter!

A Realm of Superheroes with Alisa Beagley

Alisa Beagley writes and illustrates action-packed books set in a world of superheroes and supervillains. Her latest book, Clash of the Powers is out soon and follows on from Captives of the Killer and Second Chances.

Alisa promotes and sells her books via her well-designed and informative website.

Follow Alisa on Facebook or Instagram.

In Praise of Book Launches — An Account

Author Natalie Gretton recovered from the recent bankruptcy of her publisher by holding a very successful book launch for The Healer of Marchmont. Here is her account of the event:

My young adult medieval adventure novel was due for release five weeks after the publisher went into liquidation. After negotiation with the printers, I purchased the 1500 copies of The Healer of Marchmont. Neither my husband, Mike of I had much idea of how to market the book to sell, so listened to anyone who had advice for us.

I was offered our local Neighbourhood Centre to have a book launch and chose a date some weeks from that. Flyers went out to the whole town and outlying areas of Trentham through the postal service, advertising the launch using the cover of the book, part of the blurb and a little about me. I also placed books in the local Trentham bookstore, Aesop’s Attic in Kyneton, New Leaves bookshop in Woodend, Stoneman’s Bookroom in Castlemaine, and Paradise Books in Daylesford. These were on a commission basis. Friends were contacted by Email, on Facebook, through my new website set up by my IT guru son, and word of mouth. A visit by friends who live in Canberra was good, because they took a box of 64 books back with them to sell for me. At present there are five books in Harry Hartog bookshop in Woden, Canberra, and more are being advertised by the friends. Other people took 10 books and sold those as well.

The book launch went very well. The day was lovely, sunny, still and warm. People came from many different places and were old and new friends we have known for short times and long times. We had some local people attend as well. Fifty people altogether. Some people had bought the book earlier and came to give comments about it or to get it signed for their children and grandchildren. Diane Parsons, a local retired secondary school teacher, launched the book for me and, after that, a critique was given by Charlie Wells. Charlie’s mother is the manager at the Trentham Neighbourhood Centre and had asked Charlie to read the book. His comments were very interesting and insightful for a ten-year-old young man. All the comments we had on the day and in Emails since have been very positive. The day of the launch we sold $500 worth of books, which did not include more that were sold prior to the launch.

There are still very many books to sell, but at least I have more than some other writers who were left in the lurch. I think I was more fortunate than some other writers as at least I have something tangible, unlike writers who were left in the lurch by a publisher.

So with a bit of advice and some energetic Emailing, phoning, flyer producing and a launch with a good afternoon, good friends, some lovely snacks and a few drinks, one can recover from what could have been a total disaster.

Abdi Aden's Lost-Cost Tips for Promoting Your Books

Abdi Aden, author of Shining and Yes I Can is very successful at promoting his books. Here are a few suggestions from him based on his experiences:

My PR is very basic and low budget.

• Word of mouth anywhere you can, such as my kids’ basketball, take-away shops, public places.

• Schools I visit and speak at.

• Making t-shirts.

• Websites, also other book-sellers

• websites.

• Calling places saying “I have a book.” For example, some writers festivals, and also Dymocks Camberwell runs a book night every November for self-publishers.

• Social media like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

• Also learn when new social media come up like Snapchat.

• Find small festivals, such as Clunes — self-publishers do well there. People attend from all over the world,

Why Seventy Percent Might Be Good Enough

Oliver Burkeman is at the more contemplative, philosophical and forgiving end of the self-help spectrum. No harsh admonitions, self-scarification and guilt-tripping from him. In this piece, he argues that near enough is often more than good enough, and a way of moving on to other things. A very relevant principle for writers trapped in an endless cycle of tweaking, restructuring and re-writes.

“Moving forward at 70% takes more guts, more strength of character, than holding out for 100%, because it entails moving forward amid uncertainty, anxiety, and the disagreeable feeling that comes with putting less-than-perfect work into the world.”

— Oliver Burkeman

Sign up to his interesting newsletter here.

IngramSpark Pricing Update

Print on demand behemoth IngramSpark has updated their pricing, with the following points covered in their release:

Effective April 1, 2025, IngramSpark will adjust print-on-demand pricing.

What this change means for you:

• Pricing adjustments will result in some books costing more, while others will cost less. View our complete pricing and services guide, including any available discounts here.

• Black and white books are now priced more competitively, offering even greater affordability.

• Higher discounts are available on books you purchase from us directly. 

• Ultra-premium color books are now eligible for discounts. Ultra-premium color features offset-quality color printing achieved through a toner printer, making this option perfect for titles rich in images and illustrations.

• Books enabled for distribution gain access to our global distribution network of over 45,000 retailers, librarians, universities and educators and are assessed a 1.5% market access fee.
  

Service fees remain unchanged:

• FREE title setup. Upload your books for free*.

• FREE revisions on new books. Revise your book within 60 days of the book’s first production date and you will not be charged a revision fee.

• Simplified shipping for orders printed and shipped within the United States with standard and basic options.
  

Beginning February 15th, you can use our publisher compensation calculator to see what you’ll earn for books sold after March 31, 2025. You may want to consider a list price adjustment on your books to maintain your current publisher compensation rates. Need help making a list price change? View our help article.

Alternatives to IngramSpark include Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Lulu and BookBaby.

Alternatives to IngramSpark include Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Lulu and BookBaby.

Ask Your Enemy: an AI's Opinion on Creating Content

With AI well on the way to global conquest, I find myself framing questions for our impending overlords. In this case, how human online content creators can hold their own against torrents of auto-generated filler.

My Question: If SEO is compromised and made ineffective by the explosion of AI content, how should content creators promote websites and have them rank well in search?

And ChatGPT helpfully suggested the following:

1. Focus on User Intent

AI has made search engines more adept at understanding the context and intent behind search queries. Instead of just targeting keywords, create content that answers the questions and needs of your audience in a natural, conversational tone1.

2. Optimize for Voice Search

With the rise of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, optimizing for voice search is crucial. Use long-tail keywords and natural language phrases that people are likely to use when speaking rather than typing1.

3. Leverage AI Tools for Content Creation

AI tools can help generate and optimize content, but it's important to balance this with human creativity. Use AI to assist with tasks like keyword research, meta tag optimization, and content suggestions, but ensure the final content is high-quality and unique1.

4. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Instead of producing a large volume of content, focus on creating fewer, high-quality pieces that provide real value to your audience. This approach can help you stand out in search results and build a loyal readership.

5. Stay Updated with SEO Trends

SEO is constantly evolving, especially with the integration of AI. Keep up with the latest trends and algorithm updates to ensure your strategies remain effective1.

6. Build a Strong Backlink Profile

Backlinks from reputable websites continue to be a strong ranking factor. Focus on creating valuable content that others will want to link to and engage in outreach to build relationships with other content creators and influencers.

By adapting to these strategies, content creators can continue to promote their websites effectively and rank well in search results, even in the age of AI content.

Visual Storytelling for Authors

How to Engage Readers Through Graphics and Design

Eleanor Hecks discusses the importance of graphic design in enhancing the reader experience:

Authors live in an age where attention spans are dwindling and competition for readers is fiercer than ever. Today, readers crave stories that capture their imagination while captivating their senses.

For writers and book designers, this is where visuals become a must-have tool for deepening engagement and enhancing the storytelling experience. Whether through a book cover or carefully crafted book opener, graphics and design can amplify a narrative’s impact, making it linger long after the final page.

What Visual Storytelling Is and Why It Matters

Visual storytelling is the art of conveying a narrative through images, typography and design. It goes beyond the written work, enhancing a story’s emotional impact and immersing readers in its world. For authors, visual storytelling is the connection between content and experience. It creates a richer, more engaging passage for readers.

In publishing today, this system has become increasingly important. Consider that publishers and independent authors sold over 767 million print books in 2023. When you factor in e-books, the figure climbs even higher. With so many options available, authors must find ways to stand out, and designs are one way to achieve that.

Visual storytelling is crucial because it fits the human brain’s natural preference for visuals. Humans prefer graphics over text because of a phenomenon called picture superiority, which psychologist Allan Paivio studied. According to Paivio’s dual coding theory, humans store visuals in two ways — as an image and as a word or phrase that describes the image.

In contrast, humans only store words as verbal representations. This means images are inherently more memorable, making visual storytelling better for capturing and holding readers’ attention. By integrating visuals into books, authors can create more relatable narratives on multiple levels.

Key Components of Visuals in Books

When adding images to content, authors create an experience that complements and enhances the narrative. Understanding the key components of graphics can create lasting impressions on readers. Success depends on the type of experience created, as 80% of consumers now consider it to be just as important as the quality of the product when making future purchasing decisions.

To give readers what they want, the visuals must contain various components, including:

• Typography

• Illustrations and graphics

• Color theory

• Layout and white space

• Cover design

Carefully combining each of these elements enables writers to produce books that are visually appealing and emotionally impactful.

How Authors Incorporate Graphics and Design

Today's authors find creative ways to weave graphics and design into their storytelling, making books more dynamic and engaging. In fiction, many successful authors add maps to orient readers in complex fantasy worlds or use character illustrations to breathe life into protagonists.

In nonfiction, authors leverage images like infographics, charts and diagrams to simplify complex ideas and present data in a digestible format. For memoirs and biographies, authors typically include personal photos or handwritten notes to add authenticity and emotional resonance. By incorporating visuals strategically, they can enhance the reader’s connection to the content while making their books distinctive.

Ways to Engage Readers Through Graphics and Design

The following strategies offer ideas for authors and designers to use graphics and design elements to captivate readers.

1. Leverage Beautifully Illustrated Covers

An evocative cover is a great way to capture potential readers at first glance. The new Game of Thrones covers’ design perfectly exemplifies this. The series “A Song of Ice and Fire” uses traditional linocut art to create intrigue about the world the reader is about to enter. The covers perfectly capture Westeros and the danger that lurks within it, garnering attention and setting the tone for the epic narratives.

2. Design Immersive Chapter Openers

Whimsical chapter headers or illustrations can provide readers with visual cues. Such elements offer a glimpse into upcoming events, building anticipation and enriching the storytelling experience.

3. Add Visual Easter Eggs

Inconspicuous visual elements that follow the story’s plot or characters can delight attentive readers. These hidden gems encourage deeper engagement, as readers feel rewarded for their attention to detail.

4. Use Pull Quotes and Decorative Elements

Impactful lines with elegant designs draw the reader’s eye to significant moments. This technique spotlights key passages, amplifying their emotional connection and making them more memorable.

5. Experiment With Text Layouts

Creative typography can accentuate pivotal moments or emotions within the narrative. Authors can deliver intensity, urgency or tranquility by varying text placement and style, adding another dimension to the reading experience.

Turning Stories into Immersive Reading Experiences

Authors must use visual storytelling through graphics and design to connect with today’s readers. Visual storytelling elevates a book from a story to an unforgettable reading experience. As readers increasingly value the experience a book provides, investing in visual storytelling is a strategic creative choice. Start experimenting with visuals to convert stories into ones that readers will cherish.

Eleanor Hecks is a writer and web designer who is passionate about helping other writers grow their online presence. Her work can be found on her site Designerly, as well as publications such as IndependentPublishing.com and I Need a Book Cover.

SEO is Dead, So What Comes Next?

Online marketing firm Newfangled breaks down the current SEO situation, and it isn’t pretty.

“Even if you are an exemplary student, play exactly by the rules and do every single thing right and start publishing this week, it’ll take you at least 18 months (or longer) before you could have any hope of seeing real results from organic Google rankings.”

— Mark O'Brien, Newfangled

The writer argues that two of the main reasons are Google’s decision to index AI content (and there is a lot of it) and that users simply do not scroll anymore. If they do not get the result they want, they change the search term rather than scroll. Bottom line: content creators are going to have to find new routes to user engagement.

“The rules of great content have not really changed at all in the past 20 years — great content engages people, builds trust and credibility, and educates the specific masses. Those are the rules and what you should do to achieve your goal of lead generation. That’s what’s changed a lot over the years.”

— Mark O'Brien, Newfangled

All of this illustrates that authors setting up their websites should not rely on automatic engagement. They will only be found by someone searching very specifically, probably for their name, or the title of their book. It is good to have a website that showcases an author’s work, but it is important to have other strategies to garner attention.

Newfangled have another interesting article on the kind of content you should put on your site, and in social media posts, to rise above the generic.

Working With Accessible Typefaces

An interesting article posted by Apple on using accessible, readable typefaces. Many of the suggestions are worth considering, though following them all might feel a little constricting.

“Legibility is an informal measure of how easy it is to distinguish one letter from another in a particular typeface. Several aspects of a typefaces’ (font’s) design significantly impact how legible it will be.

This is a basic guide for anyone who is looking to choose typefaces that will increase legibility in any document.”

— Apple Education

A Philhellene Writes

Independent author Tony Whitefield has been profiled by the Greek Herald. Tony explains how his love for Greek culture, landscape and history led to him writing several works on history and fiction.

““I never ever thought that I could write a novel,” Tony said.

I’m a great believer that anyone can write, and having been a high school teacher for years, I thought, well I’ve written lots of articles, listing things and curriculum things and I’ve completed a master’s thesis and a PhD, so I just wanted to take that next step and commence writing.”
The 64-year-old said what he loved most about writing was the “aha moments.”
“I just love when I’m focused on such miniscule things and I can’t work out how to construct something, so I go away and clear my mind. Then, when I come back and start typing, it clicks,”

— Tony Whitefield, via the Greek Herald